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Fintona's 2023 Duces, Dora and Leila, were two of only 39 students in Victoria to achieve the highest possible ATAR of 99.95. After they had some time for the result to sink in, we spoke with our duces about their experiences at Fintona and plans for life after school.
Leila Dubow
‘I am very grateful for all of my teachers over the years, but especially my Unit 3/4 Teachers: Mrs Ahlawat, Mrs Christiansen, Mrs Devlyn, Ms Maglitto, Mrs McKinnon, Ms McNee and Mr Stringer. They were incredibly dedicated, always enthusiastic and willing to help us understand a concept even outside of class time.’
Can you describe the moment you found out your result?
In my nervousness, I sat there for a while not wanting to open my results. I was completely surprised when I checked, and refreshed the page a few times to confirm that I was not just imagining it in my tired state. I was really excited, and called my parents to tell them.’
What are your plans for future study and your career?
I hope to study a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, potentially followed by a postgraduate degree. I am currently considering studying engineering, as it is an intersection of many of the subjects that I have found interesting. My results did not change my plans; I am just grateful that it has given me an opportunity to pursue my interests.
What did you value most throughout your time at Fintona?
The strong sense of community and the friendships that I formed. Even in year 12, the environment never felt genuinely competitive, but instead like we were all trying to support each other to each do as well as we could and accomplish our goals.
Do you have any advice for future Year 12 students?
It’s not something that I always managed to do, but beyond the focus on coursework, I thought that it was important to make time for yourself, and to devote time to what makes you happy and lets you recharge. There is a lot that you can get involved in during Year 12 that you should take advantage of if you have the ability to.
Dora Li
‘There are so many people I’d like to thank for making my Fintona journey so rewarding and enjoyable. Notably, I’d like to thank my teachers, who are incredibly dedicated and enthusiastic, who worked tirelessly in and out of class and nurtured my interests in so many different subjects, who met with me and provided encouragement and personalised help. In particular, to my Units 3&4 teachers – Mr Stringer, Ms Maglitto, Mr Williams, Ms McNee, Mrs Christiansen, Mrs Devlyn and Ms Bereza – this result could not be possible without you and thank you for making this dream come true!’
Can you describe the moment you found out your result?
Although I am by no means a morning person, I woke up well before the result was released. I was so overwhelmed with excitement, happiness and relief, that I ran over to wake up my parents. The result was a pleasant surprise and I had to remind myself that it was not all just a dream.
What are you plans for the next steps in your education and future?
I plan on studying a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, intending to major in Economics and Finance. I’d like to pursue a career related to these fields and bring value to our society in this way – economic conditions and policies have a great influence on our lives and living standards. Whilst I haven’t yet decided on my exact career pathway, I hope to learn more about the different branches of Commerce in the coming years to make a more informed decision. So, rather than changing my plans, this result would hopefully help me take the first step towards that future.
How are you feeling now that you have had time for your result to ‘sink in’?
I think the realisation that high school has truly ended has finally dawned on me. From Year 12 camp, the Formal, to Valedictory and sitting our final VCE exams, it seems that receiving the result has drawn the full stop to the chapter that marks my time at Fintona. Reflecting on the last six years, I feel extremely grateful for the education and opportunities provided by the school, and the encouragement and support of my teachers; equally so, a sense of nostalgia for the time spent here with friends, which will remain as “memories ever green”; and simultaneously, excitement for what the future holds, as the next chapters of our lives begin.
What did you value most throughout your time at Fintona?
I think the friendly, supportive atmosphere of the ‘Fintona Family’ is what I value the most and will miss the most from my time at Fintona – even something as mundane as walking into the common room and being greeted with familiar faces every morning. Fintona’s supportive community has provided me the confidence to try out new activities like debating, and the environment to grow into the person I am today. Especially during our final years, our cohort supported each other through the ups and downs of tests and exams, and it is this sense of camaraderie that made Year 12 so much more fun and meaningful.
Do you have any advice for future Year 12 students?
This probably sounds very cliché, but I think it is important to enjoy Year 12 for the year that it is – at times admittedly stressful, but more than that, a memorable culmination of our high school journey. I didn’t fully comprehend it when my teachers told me this in Year 12, but looking back, it is the bigger picture that matters more, and the time spent with friends is more memorable than the bad SAC. So, I think, just as it is important to find a suitable study technique and routine, retaining a work-life balance and continuing extra-curricular activities and hobbies are equally helpful.
